Having posted back-to-back victories in their Spring Tour over Italy and Ireland, the atmosphere inside the Australian camp should be one of confidence and optimism.
Yet instead, courtesy of one boozy night in Dublin, the Wallabies come into their fixture against Scotland this weekend under increasing pressure to perform and end what has no doubt been a very poor news cycle for Ewen McKenzie’s men.
By now, the facts and repercussions of that fateful night out (where the team reportedly drank over $2,000 worth of alcohol) are well-known.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Liam Gill and Paddy Ryan have all been handed one-game suspensions due to their consumption of an “inappropriate amount” of alcohol.
Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga’a, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White were all either handed written warnings or given verbal warnings for their involvement.
Instead of having a camp filled with confidence due to their wins over Ireland and Italy, the Wallabies now face the very real prospect of having to prove themselves once more.
The players in the squad have to prove the team – as a whole – are disciplined and focussed on the job at hand.
Coach Ewen McKenzie has to prove – through the performance of players – his ‘cracking of the whip‘ really was the right call to make.
One thing’s for certain: it’s hardly an ideal preparation for the Wallabies, who have lost their last two matches away to Scotland.
Yet while the preparation is by no means ideal (and certainly not how McKenzie would have envisaged the week taking place), at one level, it is what it is.
Media pundits and commentators alike will no doubt want to talk about the ramifications of that night both at an individual and personnel level right up the opening whistle, but the truth is nothing more can be done about that fateful night.
The subsequent player position switches and the fielding of a very inexperienced back-line aren’t ideal, but they have happened.
The question is now what the response will be from the Wallabies in a game that is, by no means, a certain win.
Much of the discussion surrounding the appointment of McKenzie over someone like Jake White was his experience as a player.
The thinking was that, as someone who had recently been in the dressing room and therefore understood the culture and ethos of the Wallabies, he’d be better equipped to get the best out of his players.
McKenzie – perhaps more than any other available coach – would be able to ‘understand’ and empathise with the team, and still produce positive results in environments that many might have otherwise struggled to do so in.
Given the week that this team’s had, it seems there’s no greater time for McKenzie (who seemingly had no other choice but to be as firm as he was in dishing out punishment) to show exactly what the benefits of having him in charge are.
For the players, there will be few matches that carry with them the same off-field focus as the one they are preparing for on Scotland.
Are their heads in the papers and in the headlines that have been written all week, or are they doing everything they can to be focussed on their sole task?
The week from hell will no doubt shed light on whatever happens when the Wallabies run out to take on the Scottish in Edinburgh.
But what it won’t do is excuse a dip in performance or mental concentration.
The Wallabies know the expectations on them, and they know that games like these – where they could not be further away from home in both mind and body – are their best chance to prove just what fighting spirit they have.
They’ll know the need to create headlines, once again, about their actions on the field rather than their activities off it.
All that remains to be seen is whether they will or not.
Australia’s international match against Scotland will be played at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh,Scotland on November 24, 2013 at 5:00am AEDT.
Live TV coverage will be provided via Fox Sports 2.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Was he the one who was a few meters outside the touchline waiting for a pass?
Harry
Guest
Fair point Jutsie and agree with what UA says.
2Tahs
Guest
I'm just hoping that no one takes seriously the suggestion to put CFS in at 13. On his display today he has a serious one on one tackling issue. Lol. And you can probably add spatial awareness to that list as well.
2Tahs
Guest
Agreed that Genia was slightly better during the 20 or so minutes he played in the second half. His play in the first half tho was very poor in my view. His passing was terrible. Everything was around or behind the ears of the receiver on any pass over 2 metres. Continually crabbing away from rucks before passing. Almost had another kick charged down. He did tho put in a couple if good clearances in the second half. Why White was brought on ahead of Phipps is a mystery. Those conditions were perfect for his style. And of the 3 his passing from rucks is light years in front of the others.
2Tahs
Guest
I think they should henceforth be known as Murraypaddock and Swamp de Feance until they get thrm back up to scratch.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Thanks Jutsie, Mate I thought Australia would have been better served with Lealiifano - F'Sautia centre paring and said it through the week. If there is any notion that I think Link is without fault, is simply inaccurate. But I do support him and his methods generally speaking. Just like I supported Robbie Deans until after the 2011 RWC but in my opinion he was no longer the best option for the Wallabies but having a differing opinion to others can upset people. Some jouno's have massive ego's and like to think they can influence the agenda, to some extent they can. I read all of them. Some days they are good others not so, but I don't really find many objective. Just my opinion. All have relationships with coaches, players and administrators. I know people who have served on the IRB and RWC Committee and they will tell you which journo's are in their camp and which ones are not. It's naive to think it does not happen in rugby.
jutsie
Guest
sorry this shouldve been a reply to the initial convo between u and harry, i wasnt weighing into the next discussion with mike.
jutsie
Guest
theres journos with agendas on both sides of the fence, the only aus rugby articles i bother reading anymore are the ones by paul cully, brett mckay and scott allen the rest is all backroom scuttlebutt, state politics, ex players/coaches harbouring grudges, etc. Its almost as bad as the political journalism in this country. I like cully/mckay/allen because they for the most part stick to game analysis. thats all i ask for.
Billy Bob
Guest
Wow! Holy Verbiage, Batdown! You've stirred up a Simmons Storm in the Bat cave this morning! I've already agreed with you about the silliness of Simmons. New point. The officials had a look at the incident. Before and after the offence. Before the Wallaby offence there was a Scottish one. The ref spotted it and gave a warning. The Scottish player not only did not self correct - he increased the offence, and at no point till Simmons finally applied physical force to him, did he desist. And, at the time of Simmons final act of stupidity, he was still committing the offence. Penalty right there - it was not one of the many incidental off the ball plays in the modern game. It was a cynical offside offence spotted by the ref, a warning ignored by the offender. Then the whole incident went to video. And still after all that incompetent and impotent and lopsided officiating - the only result is two advantages to Scotland. Card and penalty. Simmons deserved a card - if the punch connected. But the ref and the TMO, and whatever triage system that allows blatant cynical play like that to be rewarded with 100% advantage is boneheaded, as was Simmons frustrated act. Btw, the AR who was able to spot Coopers 'foul' play, then miss Simmons copping a thorough skippering then catch Simmons react to a majorly cynical pro foul deserves a red. Home town refereeing including what happens in Australia is a blight on the game.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Love Rocky (in a manly way) but his best days are well gone by latest accounts. We've got a good conditioning staff down here, and Higgers is in good hands. News is good and getting better every week.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fardy can move to 5 so both Higgs and Fardy can be in the team, and Palu.
Argyle
Roar Guru
So naive Mike if you don't think certain media types have an agenda. So we should all accept your opinion on what Link deserves as gospel? And if we don't we are called 'Pathetic' by some who was referred to as. 'Clown + 1000' during the week. Get a grip.
Harry
Guest
A fully fit Rocky would be an exciting alternative, and lets hope Higgers returns fit.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
And you, mate, are really outta line too often. Drop the ad hominem attacks and argue your case better.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Agreed. But as well as Mowen played today, I think Higgers will take the 8 spot back. Higgers and Fardy - there's a bit of mongrel for yer.
Jerry
Guest
Well I didn't discuss them cause they haven't played Australia since 2011 so weren't relevant to my point. But the reason people tend not to discuss them is that they don't get all those things you mentioned 90% of the time and we can only base rankings on things that actually happen, not what might have been. Samoa also struggle to get enough games to make any meaningful progress on the ladder. I don't think they'd beat England or Aus even at full strength though, they're good but not that good.
Mike
Guest
True. If England or Australia can put together a consistent series of wins they will secure third and press for second. Its up to them.
Mike
Guest
"anti link media" You really are pathetic, Uncle. Link has received a mixture of praise and criticism, no more or less than he deserves. With 3 wins on the trot he is just *starting* to justify some of your wild hype about him. If he can secure a win against Wales then he can mark this season down to a good finish, despite its horror start.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I thought Genia had a sound performance, especially in the second half. Fardy, Horwill, Moore were my pick of the forwards. I think Fardy is going to make life hard for Scott Higginbotham or a Super Rugby bound Rocky Elsom to get that 6 Jumper.
stainlesssteve
Guest
why, in these ranking discussions, does everybody always forget Manu Samoa? Given access to their players from clubs, given a month to train, they would give anybody a great big fright, and Australia and England a great big hiding